Facebook reveals extent of user data requests from governments

Facebook divulged to governments data on about 38,000 users
worldwide in the first six months of 2013, the social-networking
site announced on 27 August.

The figures, released in its first report detailing such affairs
globally, highlights that the United States led the way in demands
for Facebook user data. The data, the social-networking giant said,
concern basic subscriber information, such as name and length of
service. "Other requests may also seek IP address logs or actual
account content," Facebook said.

The United States sought data from between 20,000 to 21,000
accounts. Facebook said the data included "criminal and national
security requests to the maximum extent permitted by law." It said
it was prohibited from detailing exact numbers or types of national
security-related requests, which would include National
Security Letters and FISA court orders.

In all, 74 nations sought Facebook data. India came in second,
demanding information on 4,144 accounts. The United Kingdom was
next, followed by Germany, Italy and France.

"We continue to push the United States government to allow more
transparency regarding these requests, including specific numbers
and types of national security-related requests. We will publish
updated information for the United States as soon as we obtain
legal authorisation to do so," the report said.

Twitter and Google also
release semi-annual transparency reports, which also highlight that
the United States is among the leaders in user-data requests.

"We are now aware of a terrifying reality -- that governments
don't necessarily need intermediaries like Facebook, Google, and
Microsoft to get our data. They can intercept it over undersea
cables, through secret court orders, and through intelligence
sharing," Privacy International said in a statement.